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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

In honor of Autism Awareness Month I am having my very first blog giveaway! I'm a little nervous because I've never done anything like this before ;-) but I am so excited to share this with all of you!

One VERY lucky winner will get this little prize package courtesy of me:
a bento box, two silicone cups, a package of barran and a set of my favorite bento picks!

I'm also including an upcycled Capri-Sun lunchbag from TerraCycle. It fits this bento box perfectly, holding the lunch upright while being carried. Somehow the pictures I took of that are not ready to be uploaded, so I'll attach those pictures later.

And that's not all. In honor of Autism Awareness month the winner, the very VERY lucky winner, will also receive.... (drum roll, please)....

their own set of Match & Munch puzzle piece sandwich cutters, courtesy of The Lunch Punch!!!

and THAT'S NOT ALL!

The lovely folks at The Lunch Punch are also going to give that lucky winner a set of their Critter Cutters animal shaped sandwich cutters!

Just color me jealous! I've been dying for the adorable elephant press for ages!
I mean, just look at it! It's adorable!

Many thanks to The Lunch Punch for participating in this giveaway! :) They have some new designs rolling out soon that are just as cute and fun. You all really need to check them out!

HOW TO ENTER:

Leave a comment.

That's it. Simple, right? Leave a comment on this post. That comment is your entry.
Leave a comment telling me how autism has touched your life. Or leave a comment about which Lunch Punch set is your favorite. Or leave a comment to let me know what you are planting in your garden this summer or just leave a comment to say "hi! you have the greatest blog ever in the history of the blogoshere!!!". Go ahead, I won't stop you. ;-) Just leave a comment, one per person. Contest winner will be chosen at random in one week and I will announce that lucky lucky winner next Thursday.

HI! I can't remember how I originally came across your blog, but I am now a faithful stalker :) Keep up the great work..I look forward to checking out what's for lunch everyday for your kiddos and look for inspiration as well.

Oh wow! This is an awesome giveaway, count me in!!! My brother has a friend who has pretty severe autism. He's such a sweet kid that it breaks my heart when people don't even make an attempt to understand why he is the way he is. I think focusing on autism awareness this month on your blog has been awesome. :)

Oh a giveaway, what fun! Lets see.. I am planning on planting (still possible freezing temperatures here) lots and lots of basil in my garden. I thought we had enough basil frozen from last years crop to last us but we ran out this winter. Thanks for offering the giveaway!

I love your blog, let me just get that out of the way. I found it blog hopping a few weeks back and have been lurking around since then ;) I have a 1 1/2 year old girl and I am always running out of ideas for lunch (which is my least favorite meal time) You always inspire me to make something better! I had never heard of the "bento" before but I know exactly what I am going to use when my daughter becomes school aged! I am a huge fan of the puzzle lunchpunch! I did not know that April was autism awareness month, but because of you now I do. Wishing all the best!

I've been lurking on your blog for a while. My son is starting preschool this fall, and I've been looking for lunchbox ideas that will appeal to my picky eater (He won't eat meat of any kind, sandwiches, or pretty much anything else that convenient and easy to pack. ARGH!). I've made a few bento lunches for him, and I think the cute factor is winning out over his picky tendencies! The giveaway goodies are adorable!

Hello! I've been following your blog for about a month. I think I may have clicked over from a Nester link. Love your cute ideas. I'm always trying to make eating healthy fun and attractive. I'd love to see more Mama bentos.

i love to see all the cutie lunches you make for your kiddos. I now have egg molds because of your fanciness. I'd love the bento box for me. cause I'm a big kid. =] oh and I'd let my daughter borrow it every now and again. So pick me! and I love those critter cutters 'cause that yin yang fishie cutter makes me happy all the way to my toes.

This is a fantastic idea! As a teacher I check your blog often to get creative ideas for my lunch. The other teachers are always jealously scoping out what I bring as they heat up their tv dinners. My lunches have been even more exciting recently as my asparagus is coming up. I plant a little bit of everything in my garden including 36 tomato plants and 24 bell peppers. I can't wait to pack more fresh veggies from my garden! Keep up the creative posts.

I LOVE your Blog! I just started Bentos for my little girl (6 yrs old) and occasionally for my 1 yr old son a few months ago. They love them. This giveaway is great! Good Luck with it and I hope I win!!! ;)

Woo! I love lunch punches and have been dying to try one out. They are so cute!

We won't get to plant our garden until mid May after the last frost. We're planning to do some peppers, tomatoes, strawberries, zucchini, and maybe some other things if we see something that catches our eye :D

I've always wanted a bento! I'm so excited. I think it is great that you are raising awareness for autism. I myself have not been personally touched by autism but, I know people who have. The other day, I was putting together a puzzle with my daughter and thought about autism. Even something as small as cutting your sandwiches in puzzle pieces can make a difference. My support goes out to you! :)

My neighbor had autism.She goes to a special school.I dont judge.She's so awesome, and we have a fun time together.I dont even realize she has autism, because we just laugh and talk about real girl things!

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Im planting sunflower seeds in my graden this year, along with onions, raddishes, and strawberries, unless the squirrels and rabbits eat them!

How hasn't Autism touched my life? I have never been so afraid as when it became apparent that my oldest son had Autism. It has broken my heart, it has made me angry.

It has taught me paitence. It has made me a better parent, a better person. I celebrate each accomplishment, the tiny and the huge (although they are all HUGE)! I have an appreciation for teachers and people who work with special needs children. It's a calling. I love Elmo and Sesame Street because it delights him so.

Autism has given me a network, a community where I am lucky to meet other families who are trying to make a better world for their kids.

You inspire me. It doesn't look like much when I type it out. Just three words are there, but they don't really explain how I feel when I see your blog and get motivated to try new things. You give me an invitation to new experiences. That is priceless. Thank you for being an inspiration in more ways that with food.

Hey! I recently found your blog and have been stalking it ever since! I absolutely love how creative you are, you've inspired me to reacquaint my self and my love of Asian inspired things. I love the idea of a bento, and absolutely love the cookie cutter incorporation! Really hope to win this give away, my son would get a kick out of the little fork animals! =]

I came across your blog through a Birth Club BBC I belong too. I now faithfully stalk you :-) I am now a bento addict. I love all of the fun things you do for your kiddo's lunches. It inspired me to purchase some small cookie cutters to make melon shapes for treat day at my daughter's daycare. I look for ward to seeing more of your clever ideas!

I love your blog! It definitely inspired me to get creative with my super picky daughter's meals! I am a BCBA and have worked with children and families dealing with autism for the last 10 years. I know how inspiring the kids are and how strong the families are! Congrats on all you do!

I love the dolphin one, my kids would love having dolphin sandwiches! That box is cute too. And I've always liked the puzzle pieces.

I made an attempt to bento today, using our crayola sandwich boxes. They got animal crackers, a granola bar, a nutrigrain bar, a cookie, peanut butter on crackers, and some fruit snacks. I somehow managed to fit all that into one sandwich box, and then a sandwich in another box. They seemed to enjoy it, so I might have to do it more often!

i always stop in to see what you are packing for lunch. it will be a while before i have to start packing lunches for my little man, but i love the combo of items and the arrangement you use. love, love, love it...well, it's food, what's not to love.

we mentor a 10 yr old boy through Big Bros/Big Sisters that has aspergers (sp?) which I believe is classified with autism. we have a great time with him and have learned a lot. for me it has been eye-opening, like your post the other day about needing to not judge people at the grocery store when their kids are screaming. there is often more going on than it simply being a mis-behaved child. I have certainly become more patient toward parents. keep spreading the word. :)

hi! you have the greatest blog ever in the history of the blogoshere!!!ha-ha... :) i really do love your blog, you have great ideas! i check it everyday, then my daughter always wants the same things in her lunch. thanks so much for sharing!grace (gmcalleja@gmail.com)

I really do love your blog! I came across it the other day and it is a life saver for lunches. I have a two year old daughter and lunch time can get a little monotonous around here. I am always looking to try new foods with her and this website gives me the jumpstart I need!

I love the picks and the bento. Giraffes are really cute! I would love a bento to put my lunches in to bring to work because there is not much healthy food where I work and I have no lunchbox. It would be a lot better than ziplock bags in my purse. (: I love your blog and the lunches you make, I also didn't know it was Autism Awareness Month though I have AS. But I don't tell anyone offline anyway because I don't know anyone else who is likewise. If I had a bento, I would try and make pretty lunches like yours, hehe.

I actually stumbled upon this a while ago (before the autism awareness... not sure exactly when!) from Fed Up With Lunch. I've always loved bento meals, but was way too intimidated! After looking at yours, I know that when it's time for my son to go to school, I can pack his lunch too. If you can do it for four kids, surly I can do it for one!

As far as autism goes, my uncle has Asperger's, and a co-workers son has Sensory Integration Disorder. She is perhaps the most patient, amazing woman I know! Her son is a sweetheart, and listening to stories has taught me to be more patient with my "neuro-typical" kid!

Anyway, you're an amazing person and I enjoy peeking into your life every day!! Keep the beautiful bentos coming!

I just stumbled upon your blog and now I am hooked! I have 1 year old twins and I am already so excited to pack bento lunches for them. I will now be a faithful reader and can't wait to see your latest creations.

Oh my goodness! What a great giveaway! I started looking at bento lunch blogs a few months ago in prep for my 4 y/o starting Kindergarten in the Fall. I'm so excited to start bentoing! And one of the things to get on my list are the puzzle piece cutters. :)

LOVE your bento blog! A friend emailed me the link. I looked into bento's when my little guy was in 1st. We got one of the laptop lunch bento boxes and some extra containers. Been using it ever since. We also found a Japanese $1 store with some nice extras and a few things at the Sanrio store. If we were in San Francisco I would be all over the Ichiban Kan store: http://www.ichibankanusa.com/bento_box.asp. Sadly, they shut down their online store... :( I'm still trying to get my little guy to buy in on sushi, but so far, no luck. 'Sigh.' But we love using ice cream molds for the hard-boiled egg presses. FUN! And cutting the fruits into fun shapes. :)

i've already mentioned to you how inspiring you are - i want to make lunches like you when i grow up and these goodies could definitely help. i would've never known about all the possibilities if it weren't for your blog. :)

I've been following your blog for a while. Love the ideas and have incorporated some into my kiddos lunches (well, I don't have those cute picks, but have been sending toothpicks to make it more fun). LOVE the sandwich presses~we've been doing the circle sandwich press of Pampered Chef~but how fabulous are those animals and puzzles?! What a great giveaway.

I just discovered your blog and love it! My very first job was working as an aide for a child with autism in her classroom and that inspired me to switch my major from business to psychology and now I'm a school psychologist because of her! Anyhow, love your blog!

I have been following your blog for awhile and really enjoy it. I have just starting with the bentos and an amazed how you have time for it. I am struggling with 2 kids. You also sold me on the easy lunchbox systems. Hope I can add to my bento collection (which is very limited at this point) by just saying "hi"

I happened upon your blog one day by pure chance. And let me just say that I am so glad I did. You have inspired me to completely re-invent the way I pack my lunches. I know that you pack your bentos for your children who are much younger than I am, but as a high school student, I find your bentos absolutely adorable. When I started packing my bento lunch (last Monday, actually) every single person at lunch (which happens to take place in the art room) was fascinated. I mention this because my lunch table consists of four girls and Tyler. Tyler has autism, and is quite possibly the sweetest guy in the entire school. When the semester first started, he didn't talk much, but by February, it was almost like he was a different person. He is kind, extremely funny, and his painting skills put all of us females to shame. He has taught me not to judge and not to make assumptions. Some people may think it's slightly strange that I choose to spend my lunches in the art room with Tyler instead of in the cafeteria with everyone else. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

My first job was working at an autistic summer camp. The kids were filled with so much love and wonder that it made my job a breeze. I will be going to work there again this summer for the 9th in a row.

I really enjoy reading your blog. I am a teacher and have a mixed class, including children on the autistic spectrum. And I am just starting my container garden for the summer. So far I have rosemary, thyme and strawberries going! =+)

Just found your blog from one of your childhood friends I follow on FB! Love it! This giveaway has just about the cutest things ever and my 4 year old son would love having his sandwiches cut into these fun shapes for sure.

Thanks to the wonderful people out there that are brining Autism Awareness to the public, I feel I make the BEST choice for my son 4 years ago when he was born. That choice was NOT to vaccinate him, according to the CDC guidelines.

You see, I am in the medical industry and have become so jaded and am fully aware it's all about $$. There is DEFINITELY a link between vaccines and autism, regardless of how much $ the drug companies spend trying to convince you otherwise.

I am not against vaccines, just know there are way too many injections being given at one time, per the current schedule. My personal choice is that my son never receives more than 1 shot, per office visit. I've also been lucky that the pediatricians have fully understood my stance and support my decision as a parent.

My nephew has Aspbergers syndrome. While he is the most loving little boy, he is also very trying when he gets on his one track mind set. It makes you hyper aware that the child screaming at the grocery store or the diner isn't ALWAYS a "problem child" but just may not be able to control himself.

Hi there! I just found your blog and it's so cute! I have a nephew who has autism. The whole experience that my sister and brother-in-law have gone through has taught us (our family) so much about autism.

I try to make thoughtful decisions about what my kids eat all the time. This makes some of those boring meals FUN and they are eco friendly. I look forward to roaming around for inspiration. Count me in for the give away.

I LOVE your blog!!! I had never heard of Bento until I clicked over from the Fed Up With School Lunch site, but you totally have me hooked!

I know a few families of kids with Autism, and it's really hard to see when people just pass judgement on these families because the kid has an "odd" behavior. I think all the families that live with Autism are so brave!

I discovered your blog a few weeks ago. Love it! My oldest will start kindergarten in the fall, so I'm storing all kinds of ideas to use for his lunches then. I've already bought a sassy box for each of my kids (2 yr DD and 5 yr DS). I've been practicing with their lunches at home. We'd love to win the giveaway!

Thanks for your blog. I had gotten in a total rut with making my 5 year old lunch every day (translated- I loathed doing it) and your blog helps me to be more creative with it and look forward to it! Thank you. :o) Would be awesome to win the contest and surprise my son with new lunch stuff!

I've been passing your blog's link along to my FB friends. They love it! Thanks for sharing about your life and lunches.

Autism effects my life everyday since my six year old son happens to be autistic. Our lives revolve around diet, behavioral interventions and meltdown prevention (if there is such a thing). My son brings so much joy that far outweighs the stress autism brings into our lives. My hope and prayer is that we can do everything that he needs to live a long, healthy and successful life. However that looks for him is a present that we will open each and every day.

Oh, and I love the set posted. :) I am just starting to research bento as I am trying to make C's lunches more exciting.

I have never used the lunch punch stuff, but am excited to check it all out. Today was my first day to use an egg mold (a cute Hello Kitty one from Japan!). You and my friend, Tifani Keith Jeffries, inspired me with your blogs to get started with a few fun things for my three girls' lunches!

I love your blog. My parents were awesome parents, but they did not pack me a lunch, like ever. I ate school lunch K-12 (And cafeteria food in college too). But I think I had it pretty good and today's kids aren't so lucky. School lunch is not what it use to be. You are inspiring me to find new and creative ways to make preparing lunch as interesting for me as it will be for my kids to eat. I really love your blog because it's so real and it's just your life, no gimmicks.

Your blog is such an inspiration! My 3yo is VERY picky, mostly about texture, presentation, everything in order and just so. I have borrowed some of your lunch ideas and with the fancy picks and Sassy bento he has become a little less resistant to meal time - so THANKS! Wish my little man had been eating solid foods when we were living in Tokyo - I could have gone bananas shopping! Now I wish I had - although it is so expensive there! Anyhooooo - thanks again! :)

I pack my fiance's lunch for him each day in a reusable to-go container and always mention your site ... he seems quite jealous of your children and their exciting Bento's. He deserves a little fun in his life too :)

I discovered your blog a couple of months ago through our mutual friend Amy. I really enjoy reading it - you pack the most creative, attractive lunches I've ever seen! I would love to win this for my daughters.

First, I love your Blog, so I'd love to win just for that. But more importantly, Autism has touched our lives in some wonderfully special ways. We are fortunate to have our children attend a school with a mainstreamed Autism program and our girls are blessed at their young age to have friends with Autism and to have learned at a much younger age than us adults, that being a little different is simply that, and nothing more. What a beautiful thing it is to watch children on the playground quietly move forward during an impromptu kickball game because they know their classmate might need a little "extra help" to play with them, as they cheer them on!

I had to buy 5 Sassy boxes after discovering your blog (one for each day of the week!) for my one-year-old daughter . My husband thinks I'm nuts, but I know she has the best lunches at her daycare. I can't wait until next year when she is big enough to appreciate it and all the cutesy stuff I can add to her lunches.

How awesome are you! I've been following your blog for a few months now and I am just in LOVE with the products you use here. I keep telling myself I want to buy a bento box for my 3 year old daughter BUT every payday it seems that I am paying so many bills I have to keep pushing it till I have a little to splurge. I just know she would love this.

hello! you have totally inspired me to make creative, fun lunches for my 2 girls. i only have the sassy snack set so far but i have been checking your site for inspiration every night before i do the packing! thanks for a great blog!

I'm a student at Tufts University and I intern as a 5th grade teacher at an elementary school in Boston. I really wish my students are healthy and creative lunches like the ones that you pack for your children.

I love, love, love this very generous giveaway! My 3 yo has been enjoying his "lunchbox" since I've followed your suggestions. Thank you for this blog and thank you to our mutual friend Amy MJ for referring me here.

I love this blog! It has inspired me to create healthy lunches for my toddler and we eat together at her daycare, which is right down the hall from my work. It has really been fun for us to eat together.

me me me me! Pick me! i LOVE your blog and think you're genius. You're inspirational, clever and fun to read. If I had a kid and made them lunch I'd make bentos. I'm a convert :) Everyday (with the exception of the few days I forget) I zoom on over to anotherlunch wondering about what the kiddos ate today and the shape the food was in. Keep it coming!

I found your blog through Mrs. Q and I love seeing all the lunches you put together! I have used some of your ideas for my second grader and my preschooler. It is getting harder and harder to find ways to keep lunch from getting boring for them. This would be the perfect way to make it fun for them again! And the fact that it relates to Autism Awareness is fantastic! My best friend is a Spec-Ed teacher in a public school and she is always telling me stories about the trouble her students have. I love the idea!!!!!

My son just turned one and I'm already so excited to pack cute little lunches for him. My mom shared your blog with me and I'm so impressed by all your lunchtime creativity! Anything to make healthy food look as delicious as it tastes :)

Well I have to say my friend sent me a link to your blog and this is my first ever blog comment because I'd be ever so excited to win anything ever and this is one of the rare things in life I'd LOVE to win... I'm an avid bento lunch creator and in the middle of nowhere with no access to fun supplies so I have to be creative... thanks for your inspirational ideas and photos regardless of the contest motivating me to write!

This is the first time I'm posting a comment to a blog but not just for the prize (which would be supercool because I never win anything and I'm a bento freak with no access to supplies) but my friend sent a link and I have to say - great site and thanks!

Love your blog! Love the different types of bentos you use. I want to branch out from Laptop and I love getting the solid advice you give. I am still looking for a local (Austin) store that sells the picks and barren, etc that you show on your site. I know you have links but like to buy local. Thanks for sharing!

I do, I do. I do think you have the greatest blog on the planet. I don't know how I have survived these last 5 years of elementary school and not had the inspiration of your lovely lunches. Luckily, my girl is very sentimental and still wants me to "pack it with love" and send her a note everyday. I hope that lasts because I plan on getting a little more creative with her lunches now. With your inspiration.

Several years ago I worked at camp for Jewish teens with Autism within a neurotypical Jewish teen camp. I think it was pretty beneficial to both sets of campers. Definitely a boost in awareness for the nt campers, and the campers with autism got to experience a Jewish camp setting. Some of my fond memories of that time involve simple things: blowing bubbles, and doing Jewish songs with hand motions.

Hello, I was sent to your site by a friend of yours who I had been talking about lunches for my almost-two year old. So thank you for creating the site and for the cool ideas. How has Autism touched me? Well, I can't really pinpoint one incident...I worked at The Little Light House, here in Tulsa, for a little over 4 years. There are too many to pick from, so let's just say that my life is more fulfilling for having known each and every child that was placed in my care, the ones with Autism, the ones with Down Syndrome or Dwarfism, or Spina Bifida, Visually Impaired, Prader Willie Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, it really doesn't matter. Your life is forever changed, you are forever better for just having known them, been loved by them, shared laughs with them, or just letting them know you are there while they quietly sit and line up toys.

First off, wahoo, a giveaway! I love all your ideas and am just getting started with Bentos... this would help me so much!

Second, sadly we have been impacted by Autism, both my uncle and my cousin are Autistic. Sadly, our uncle passed a few years back, but he taught us so much. Our family is so impressed by the myriad of services now available... thanks to all those who keep the cause near and dear to their hearts.

So delicious! I'm an occasional bento packer for my two boys because of you and other internet bento mamas. How awesome that you have made lunch fun! Thank you also for raising awareness about autism. We can all use a little education on that.

Hi!!! I love lunch punch kits!!! Specially the critters cutters set!! And I love more and more the Bento Goodies oh my! No picky eater would resist eating with the bento stuff and the punched sandwiches!Thanks for this opportunity and congrats on your spiring blog!!

A friend has directed me to your site. You are so creative, I love it. My son is 11 months old and I make my own baby food. He is now starting to eat some "people" food and I'm looking forward to the time when I can use my craft skills and make such beautiful lunches for him! Thanks!

Hi Melissa, I just wanted to tell you that since I have been reading your blog, I have stopped letting my kids buy lunches from school. Your ideas and the way you are able to make lunch fun have totally inspired me! My girls (4 & 6) pick their lunches from your blog every night, you can imagine how they went goo goo, gah gah over the cute little set you are offering as a giveaway. Thanks for your inspiration! Kiyoko

Love your blog--thank you for the inspiration! I don't have children yet, but have started practicing (very basic) bentos on my husband. He just loves them, and it makes me feel good to make his day brighter! How fun.

I'm beginning the Bento system for my 3 year old DD. I would love this set to get me started :). I am finding that the smaller portions and the creative packaging result in DD trying new foods she has, in the past, turned her nose up at. I love your blog. It's given me all sorts of great ideas! Thanks!

I just found your blog over the weekend. I LOVE it!!!! I am so excited to get started making my girls cute and healthy lunches. I went thru your entire blog and am ready to buy all the cute things you use. But maybe I will wait and see if I win the giveaway :)

I love these cutters too! My kids don't like school lunches so I make every lunch for all three of ours! My kids are not autistic but, we have several friends with children that have been diagnosed. I am happy that you are finding support on the web.

I love your funky lunches. You have inspired me to get creative with mine. We planted our first organic garden this spring & also brought 2 beautiful chickens to our yard. Although, the garden didn't flourish with bountiful fruit, the few items we picked were treasured and we savored every bite! We just planted a pumpkin patch for the fall and plan to replant our garden in the fall. We have a new appreciation for our food, farming & recycling. One of the most important things I am teaching my children is sustainability & respect for all life. Thanks you uplifting, inspiring blog.

Love, love, love your site! I have a little one starting preschool and your site has given me so many great ideas :) She is a picky eater and this will definately make mealtime more fun. Thanks so much I can't wait to make my first bento for her!!!

I would love to win a set of Match & Munch puzzle piece sandwich cutters for my son. He is 6 and starting grade 1 this fall. This is the first time I will have to pack a lunch for him every day. Sandwiches are going to get very boring for him. This tool would be a great addition to my lunch packing for him.

I have never tried packing a bento box lunch for my daughter, but am now so inspired by your Wonderful blog! My daughter is starting sixth grade tomorrow at a new school and I think if she brought something as cute as your bento boxes she would quickly make new friends. I look forward to trying many of your ideas!! Thank you!